Ride-hailing apps are in high demand! Apps like Bolt lead the way. Known for being affordable, simple to use, and scalable, Bolt offers what riders and drivers value. Its easy design and features make it popular with users.
In 2025, building a Bolt-like app takes a new approach. As ride-hailing demand grows, new apps need smart, user-friendly solutions. Developing a “Bolt app” requires a stable, flexible platform. To stand out, the app must offer smooth navigation, quick bookings, and reliable service. By learning from Bolt, developers can make a ride-hailing app that meets modern needs and grows with user demand.
Understanding the Core Features of Bolt
Bolt is popular everywhere. There are several features that make this application a top choice for passengers when booking a convenient ride. Let’s see what characteristics make Bolt so successful.
User Registration and Profiles
Bolt’s registration is fast and easy. Riders create profiles quickly with basic details. They can manage saved addresses and booking preferences easily. The app remembers frequent destinations, making booking faster.
Geolocation and Routing
Geolocation is the core of Bolt’s efficient service. The application shows drivers’ locations on a live map. It shows nearby drivers and even estimates their arrival. The routing system finds the quickest route to any destination.
Booking and Scheduling Rides
Bolt’s booking offers flexible options. Users can request pickups instantly or schedule rides in advance. Notifications keep users updated on driver location and arrival time.
In-App Payment Options
Bolt provides the user with payment options that suit their needs. It offers card payments through secure gateways and accepts cash payments in various locations. Also, the application stores payment details securely for later rides.
Safety Features
Bolt highly focuses on safety standards. Every driver undergoes a background check before joining the company. The application also contains an emergency button for unpredictable situations. Drivers and riders can share the details of their trip with close contacts.
Ratings and Reviews
Bolt’s rating speaks about the quality of the application it is. People who take rides rate each ride after its completion. Moreover, the drivers get ratings too, to keep the standards high. Such community feedback builds trust.
Technology Required for Developing a Bolt-like App
A good ride-hailing app tech stack is needed to develop an app like Bolt. Implementing correct technologies ensures the performance, scalability, and security of a ride-hailing app. Here are the main technologies needed:
Frontend Development for Ride-Hailing Apps
The front end, or the user interface, is an important requirement to build a clean and good app. React Native is great for cross-platform development, which means it will save both time and cost. Swift is preferred for iOS, while Kotlin is best for Android. It helps provide a smooth responsive experience on both platforms.
Bolt-like App Backend Development
The backend will manage the core function of the app, where all data will be stored, and user interactions will be done. Node.js is primarily ideal for real-time processing. Ruby on Rails assures quick development with stability, whereas Python delivers flexibility and scalability. These technologies support the efficient handling of multiple users.
Database
A good database stores and manages all of its critical data. MySQL and PostgreSQL ensure speed and reliability. They offer efficient relational databases, making them ideal for managing structurally formatted data. MongoDB is another alternative, providing better flexibility regarding data. A well-chosen database indeed helps in the quick retrieval of data, which is required for real-time app performance.
Real-Time Analytics
Ride-hailing applications mainly work on real-time analytics. Softwares such as Google Maps API and Mapbox offer services that include accurate geolocalization. These tools help enable active tracking that reduces the distance of the drivers and users significantly. They help in availing current information.
Push Notifications
Push notifications keep the users active and engaging. With Firebase and APNS, the alerts are pushed in real-time. They remind them of their ride status, promotions, or updates. This will maintain a high level of user engagement and enhance their experience.
Security Features
When it comes to ride-hailing applications, security comes first. The use of SSL/TLS encryption ensures that user information and payment details are safe. These measures help in gaining users’ confidence in the system and ensuring safe transactions across the board.
Development Process: Steps to Create an App Like Bolt
Creating a ride-hailing app like Bolt requires clear steps and a structured development process. Each step is important to ensure the app is user-friendly, functional, and scalable.
Market Research and Planning
Knowing your audience and their needs before building the app is very important. Keep researching what people want in a ride-hailing app. Study the competitors and figure out what is good for passengers and what is missing. Planning will only help you understand your region’s demand and, based on that, provide an excellent foundation for features in your app.
UI/UX Design
The design is a key factor that impacts the efficiency of any application. The user interface (UI) and the user experience (UX) need to be simple, clean, and captivating. It must also be organized efficiently to let the user search. It must let the users quickly book a ride or make payments without any interruptions.
Backend and Frontend Development
The backend processes all the functions of the app that are not visible to the users. It manages and keeps records of transactions, links users to drivers, and also deals with finances. The front end of ride-hailing applications is the interaction part, for example, buttons, maps, and information about a ride.
Advanced front-end technologies, such as React Native, allow the development of both Android and iOS applications. For the backend, you may need to use Node.js or Ruby on Rails to manage user’s information and real-time requests.
Testing
The testing is a very critical step after the development is complete. Testing the app ensures that the app will work with no bugs. Testing an application checks all issues regarding its speed, security, as well as usability. It helps you check whether the ride matches properly, payment processes correctly, and nothing crashes.
Launch and Post-Launch Support
After testing, your app will be ready to launch on the app stores. However, the launch of your app is not the end of the process as you must offer support and updates regularly. This would involve fixing bugs and developing features that continue to improve the app.
Cost of Developing a Ride-Hailing App Like Bolt in 2025
Understanding the cost of building a ride-hailing app like Bolt lets you plan your budget. Several factors influence the final cost of development.
Factors Affecting Costs
The cost is mainly influenced by the number of features an app consists of. For example, developing a simple app with basic functionalities is way cheaper than an app that is loaded with advanced features.
Features such as geolocation, multiple payment gateways, and feedback ratings will impact the overall cost. Additionally, the technology stack selected for the process will determine the cost. Moreover, the implementation of advanced technologies can also increase costs.
Cost Range by Development Stages
- Basic MVP (Minimum Viable Product): An MVP is the most basic form ride hailing app, containing only common features like the ability to book a ride and set up user accounts. The financial resources needed to develop an MVP version of an app range between $50,000 to $ 100,000.
- Full-Feature App: A fully functional app comes with complex features that include real-time updates, payment in-app mechanisms, and notification alerts. The process of building the complex version of the application costs roughly $ 150,000 to $ 300,000.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs
Even after the launch of the application, it is important to regularly maintain it. Your application might require technical improvement over time, such as bug-fixing and enhancements. An average maintenance cost goes between $10,000 and $50,000 per year, depending upon the frequency of updates in a year.
Key Challenges in Ride-Hailing App Development and Solutions
Developing a ride-hailing application like Bolt is not an easy task. Here is a summary of the frequent challenges and their solutions.
Scalability
As more people start using your app, it should serve users fast and efficiently. Use technologies like cloud computing or microservices that make it easy to scale the app. This will ensure your application remains fast and smooth.
Geolocation Accuracy
Accurate location tracking features are crucial for a ride-hailing app. Users should be matched with drivers that are nearby them, and drivers should receive their real-time directions. Other tools like Google Maps API or Mapbox will help ensure your app provides accurate locations for pickups and drop-offs.
Data Privacy and Security
The ride-hailing apps contain personal data along with payment details, so they are a serious matter of concern. Implement adequate encryption practices, like SSL/TLS, and ensure the process of transaction is safe through secure payment gateways. Always keep user information safe from breach.
Compliance with Local Regulations
The local regulations for ride-hailing apps vary by region. The most common regulations include background checks of drivers, fare prices, and insurance. Keep your application according to the laws set in the regions you wish to operate. This way, it stays legal and avoids costly fines.
How a Bolt-Like App Can Drive Business Growth
Investing in a ride-hailing app like Bolt can bring significant benefits to businesses. Here’s how it helps your company grow.
Increased Customer Reach
A ride-hailing application is built according to the needs of customers who don’t have a vehicle or need travel. City dwellers more often need an app that allows them to move from one point to another with ease and for them, an app such as Bolt is more than useful.
Revenue Streams
Creating a mobile application comes with several advantages in terms of generating revenue. You can decide to charge a fee per trip taken, provide subscription services to regular users or introduce in-app advertising.
Improved User Experience
An easy-to-use application will increase the continued usage of consumers. The customers will return if they find the experience hassle-free. A well-designed application is appealing to the user. It will build customer loyalty, increase retention levels, and boost earnings for the company.
Why Choose Us for Your Bolt-like Ride-Hailing App Development?
When it comes to developing ride-hailing apps, Esferasoft proves to be the best choice. With nearly two decades of experience, we understand how to build a Bolt-like app that meets your business needs. We have also made a Taxi Booking App that has resulted in a highly scalable app.
Our team knows how to apply the appropriate technology stack as per the preferences of the customers. We offer complete custom app development services to always create an app of your choice within the stated deadlines.
We follow a simple process that includes careful planning, testing, and customer feedback to ensure the final product is exactly what you need. We also provide post-launch services to fix any issues and make improvements according to the market trends.
We focus on satisfying all the clients which is the reason we have a client retention rate of more than 60%. Our company enjoys delivering positive results and hearing appreciation from our clients.
Conclusion
Building a Bolt-like app requires a team of trained staff proficient in using essential technological stack. Although creating and maintaining a ride-hailing app requires a significant amount, it also offers huge potential for business growth.
To create a successful ride-hailing app, you need industry leaders. Choose Esferasoft as your development partner and let us help you create a reliable and accurately navigating Uber-like app that users love.
Contact us today for a consultation and openly discuss your ride-hailing app development project!
